How Many Steps Can You Take in Basketball?

One of the basic rules of basketball is that basketball players can only take two steps without dribbling.

In basketball games, we use the term “travel” so what is travel in the basketball game?

Travel is a violation that occurs when a player moves their pivot foot or takes too many steps while holding the ball. The number of steps a player is allowed to take without committing travel varies depending on the situation and the specific rules of the game.

Here is a detailed explanation of how many steps a player is allowed to take in different situations with examples.

Pivot Foot

A player’s pivot foot is the foot that remains in contact with the floor while they are dribbling or holding the ball. A player is allowed to pivot or turn, on either foot, but they can only take one step while their pivot foot is still in contact with the floor.

For example, if a player is dribbling the ball and they want to change direction, they can pivot on one foot and take one step in the new direction without committing a travel violation. However, if they take a second step while their pivot foot is still in contact with the floor, it is considered a travel violation.

Example: Legal Pivot and Step

A player is dribbling the ball and they want to change direction. They pivot on their right foot and then take one step in the new direction with their left foot. This is a legal move and not considered a travel violation.

Example: Travel that occurs when a player pivots on their pivot foot

A player is dribbling the ball and they want to change direction. They pivot on their right foot and then take a second step in the new direction with their right foot. This is a travel violation because the player took two steps while their pivot foot was still in contact with the floor.

Dribble

A player is allowed to take two steps after they begin a dribble, as long as one of those steps is taken with their pivot foot. For example, if a player starts a dribble with their right foot, they can take one step with their left foot and then one step with their right foot without committing a travel violation.

Example: Legal dribble

A player starts a dribble with their right foot and then takes one step with their left foot and one step with their right foot. This is a legal move and not considered a travel violation.

Example: Travel that occurs during a dribble

A player starts a dribble with their right foot and then takes two steps with their left foot. This is a travel violation because the player took two steps with one foot after beginning a dribble.

Running

When a player is running with the ball, they are allowed to take as many steps as they want, as long as they are not holding the ball for more than five seconds. However, if a player stops and holds the ball for more than five seconds, they must either pass, shoot, or dribble the ball.

Example: Legal move when a player is running with the ball

A player picks up the ball and begins running down the court. They take several steps and then pass the ball to a teammate before they have held the ball for more than five seconds. This is a legal move and is not considered a travel violation.

Example: Travel that occurs when a player is running with the ball

A player picks up the ball and begins running down the court. They take several steps and then stop and hold the ball for more than five seconds without passing, shooting, or dribbling. This is a travel violation because the player stopped and held the ball for more than five seconds.

Some other questions may come to your mind.

How Many Steps Can I Get in College Basketball?

In college basketball game, a player is allowed to take up to two steps without dribbling the ball.

Can I Take Three Steps for a Layup?

According to the rules of basketball, a player is allowed to take two steps without dribbling the ball after they have received or gained control of the ball. However, a player can take as many steps as they need to make a layup as long as they release the ball before they land on their third step.

Is Step back a Travel Violation?

A step back is a move in which a player with the ball takes a step back while simultaneously shooting or dribbling past a defender. It is a technique used to create space and create a scoring opportunity. It is not a type of travel.

What are the NBA Rules on Travelling?

A player cannot take more than two steps without dribbling the ball after receiving or gaining control of the ball. This is known as a “gather step.” After the gather step, the player must either dribble or pass the ball.
A player cannot lift their pivot foot and then replace it in the same spot. This is known as “pivoting.”
A player cannot travel while they are holding the ball. This means they cannot take more than two steps while carrying the ball.
A player cannot take more than two steps while dribbling the ball.
If a player takes a step and then returns to their original position, it is not a traveling violation as long as they maintain possession of the ball and do not take more than two steps.